:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69350378/1231477080.0.jpg)
One of the biggest milestones toward the eventual construction of a new indoor practice facility for men’s and women’s basketball at BC has been achieved - the closing of a lead $15 million gift to spearhead the project.
SI’s Pete Thamel reports:
SOURCES: Boston College has received a $15 million lead gift to build a new men’s and women’s basketball practice facility connected to Conte Forum. The total facility is estimated to cost around $37 million. More than $20 million has already been raised for the project. 1/2
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 27, 2021
Needless to say, with more than $20 million raised, that will allow BC to drive forward with plans to renovate and expand the practice facilities for basketball:
The gift is from Mikey and Jay Hoag, and the facility will be named Hoag Basketball Pavilion. It will include 40,000 square feet of basketball specific space. The upgrade will be a drastic improvement for basketball facilities long regarded as the worst in the ACC. 2/2
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 27, 2021
Mikey and Jay Hoag have been significant donors to BC Athletics, including helping fund the state-of-the-art football practice facility.
In addition to having more dedicated space for basketball - not only through the creation of a 40,000 sq ft facility, but also through the expected move of volleyball into the new Connell Recreation Complex - the project is also expected to include dedicated strength and fitness facilities for the basketball teams as well, which should help with both recruiting and player development.
This is a big moment for BC basketball as ultimately, Earl Grant or any other coach is not going to be in a position to succeed long-term in a conference filled with NBA-caliber facilities unless BC’s offerings are modernized.
We’ve already seen the impact that the new Field House has had on football recruiting, with the Eagles’ 2022 class currently 14th in the nation in football. Now it’s time to see if Pat Kraft and Earl Grant can steer men’s basketball in that direction as well.